The name Richerds was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Old German name "Ricard," meaning "powerful" and "brave." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)

Richerds Early Origins

The surname Richerds was first found in Cheshire in 1067 where they were descended from Hugh d'Avranche, Earl Lupus of Chester. His descendant, William Belwood, Lord of Malpas in Cheshire, had two sons, David and Richard. Richard's grandson John was the first to bear the name Richardson.

Years later the YorkshirePoll Tax records revealed William Richardson in 1381 and further north in Scotland, Thome filius Ricardi held a charter of the barony of Symundestone in Lanark c. 1315-1321. A few years later, Laurence filius Ricardi was a tenant of the Earl of Douglas in Louchurde in 1376. Murdac Richardesson, a Scottish merchant complained the English had sunk his vessel during a truce in 1359. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

Richerds Spelling Variations

Richerds Spelling Variations

Richerds Early History

Richerds Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Richerds research. Another 271 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1606, 1820, 1576, 1651, 1628, 1569, 1635, 1627, 1674, 1660, 1674, 1689, 1761, 1664, 1714, 1714, 1715, 1690, 1755, 1737 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Richerds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richerds Early Notables (pre 1700)

Richerds Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was Dame Elizabeth Richardson, 1st Lady Cramond (1576-1651), English writer whose peerage was created for her in 1628; Sir Thomas Richardson (1569-1635), Chief Justice of the King's Bench; Thomas Richardson...

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Richerds Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Richerds In Ireland

Richerds In Ireland

Some of the Richerds family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Henry Richardson and his wife Mary who settled in New England in 1637 with their five children; David Richardson, who arrived in Virginia in 1674; Peter Richardson, who settled in Virginia in 1638.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).

The Richerds Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Richerds Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.